Disclaimer
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit supports mental health in a variety of ways across our programs. We do not, however, provide acute crisis or mental health services or counselling. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis:
- Call 911
- Visit your nearest emergency department
- Call Crisis Response
- Thunder Bay: 346-8282
- Thunder Bay District: 1-888-269-3100
To find out where you can access counselling support and treatment for mental health concerns:
- Call 211 or visit the 211 North Website
- Call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 or visit the ConnexOntario website
- See below for supports and services in Thunder Bay and District
Looking for Support with your Mental Health?
Never be afraid to reach out for help. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength. You don’t have to face your struggles alone. There is support nearby.
Walk-in Counselling
- Walk-in counselling (first come first serve basis). 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at Thunder Bay Counselling – 544 Winnipeg Avenue 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay – 283 Lisgar Street
- (807) 684-1880
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care
- Walk-in counselling available in Thunder Bay, Tuesdays 1pm to 7pm
- (807) 624-5818
- Free counselling for adults, youth, and children either through walk-in or appointment
- For appointments: contact Rae-Ann at (807) 623-0292 Ext. 225
- For walk-in: Tuesdays (704 McKenzie Street) from 4pm to 7pm and Thursdays (288 Windsor Street Unit 16) from 3:30pm to 6:30pm
- (807) 623-0292 ext. 228
Price-Accessible Counselling
Catholic Family Development Centre
- Group counselling provided at low cost (based off your income)
- (807) 345-7323
Mental Health Support Programs
- Programming and services to support individuals with serious mental health and/or addictions concerns.
- Walk-in services available on a first come first serve basis Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- (807) 683-8200
Norwest Community Health Centre
- Provides a variety of mental and physical wellbeing services and programs
- Thunder Bay: (807) 622-8235 or Toll-Free 1-866-357-5454
Canadian Mental Health Association Thunder Bay
- First Place
- Treatment for people (aged 14-35) who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis (referral needed)
- (807) 345-0060
- New Foundations
- Day program for people with mental health concerns over 16 years old to work through recovery
- (807) 345-5564
- Offers a variety of programs and services ranging from social support to spiritual wellbeing.
- (807) 345-6062 or Toll-Free 1-855-376-6673
- Also, Pastor Julien is on call for spiritual or social support on an outreach basis
- (807) 474-9661
- Street outreach program offering services to folks requiring aid from 2pm to 2am daily
- (807) 620-7678
Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre
- Wide range of programming offered to support health and wellness across the lifespan
- (807) 345-5840
- Provides a number of services for Indigenous people, including information on mental health and addiction.
- (807) 229-3592 or Toll-Free: 1-888-432-7102
Peer Support
People Advocating for Change through Empowerment (P.A.C.E.)
- Peer support program to support people with mental health and addictions issues. Free programming and drop in facility for members (membership is free).
- (807) 343-4760
- Confidential and free support for addictions, mental health, and problem gambling
- 1-866-531-2600
- Culturally grounded, confidential helpline, for Indigenous women (available in 14 languages)
- Call or Text: 1-855-554-HEAL
- Confidential crisis support and professional counselling for youth up to 20 years old
- Call: 1-800-668-6868
- Text: CONNECT to 686868
- Confidential crisis support and professional counselling for post-secondary students (ages 17-25)
- Call: 1-866-925-5454
- Online mental health and wellbeing service that allows you to express your feelings and connect with others in a safe and secure online space
- Skill-building program delivered through a variety of videos and over the phone coaching to help manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, and worry.
- Confidential online or over the phone peer support for LGBTQ youth
- Call: 1-800-268-9688
- Text: (647) 694-4275
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
- Self-help resources for problem gambling and a 24/7 free and confidential helpline through ConnexOntario
- 1-866-531-2600
Walk-in Counselling
- Free counselling for adults, youth, and children either through walk-in or appointment
- For appointments: contact Rae-Ann at (807) 623-0292 Ext. 225
- For walk-in: Tuesdays (704 McKenzie Street) from 4pm to 7pm and Thursdays (288 Windsor Street Unit 16) from 3:30pm to 6:30pm
- (807) 623-0292 ext. 228
- Walk-in counselling (first come first serve basis). 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at Thunder Bay Counselling – 544 Winnipeg Avenue 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay – 283 Lisgar Street
- (807) 684-1880
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care Mental Health Services
- Walk-in counselling available in Thunder Bay, Tuesdays 1pm to 7pm
- (807) 624-5818
Locally Operated Support Programs
The Children’s Centre Thunder Bay
- Offers a variety of safe spaces, support groups, and counselling for different mental health and addictions concerns. Programs are directed towards youth and their families
- (807) 343-5000
Canadian Mental Health Association Thunder Bay
- First Place
- Treatment for people (aged 14-35) who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis (referral needed)
- (807) 345-0060
- New Foundations
- Day program for people with mental health concerns over 16 years old to work through recovery
- (807) 345-5564
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care Mental Health Services
- Children and youth mental health services available through Dilico with referral
- Group programming for one-on-one support for youth aged 12 to 24 that supports youth with personal development, skill building, guidance, and with recreational activities and outings
- Located at: 97K Limbrick Street AND at 288 Windsor Street, Unit 16
Online/Over the Phone Support
- Confidential crisis support and professional counselling for youth up to 20 years old
- Call: 1-800-668-6868
- Text: CONNECT to 686868
- Confidential crisis support and professional counselling for post-secondary students (ages 17-25)
- Call: 1-866-925-5454
- Online mental health and wellbeing service that allows you to express your feelings and connect with others in a safe and secure online space
- Skill-building program delivered through a variety of videos and over the phone coaching to help manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, and worry.
- Confidential online or over the phone peer support for LGBTQ2S+ youth
- Call: 1-800-268-9688
- Text: (647) 694-4275
Counselling for Post-Secondary Students
Student Health and Counselling
- Free counselling services to full- and part-time students at Lakehead University (must book appointment)
- (807) 343-8361
Confederation College counselling
- Free counselling services (including personal counselling, career exploration, and academic issues and academic dispute resolution support) to students of Confederation College
- (807) 475-6618 or Toll-Free: 1-833-330-1550
Withdrawal Management and Treatment
St. Joseph's Care Group programs
- Sister Margaret Smith Centre
- Residential facility which offers counselling and treatment for substance use and addiction
- (807) 684-5100
- The Balmoral Centre
- A free, non-medical withdrawal management program. The program is open 24/7, has no waiting periods, is free, and voluntary.
- (807) 623-6515
- Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM)
- RAAM clinic provides low-barrier, easy to access, and walk-in services for people living with substance use issues.
- NorWest Community Health Centre
- (807) 626-8478
- Hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:00pm to 5:00pm
- St. Joseph’s Care Group
- Balmoral Withdrawal Management Centre
- (807) 626-8478
- Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2:00pm to 5:00pm
- RAAM clinic provides low-barrier, easy to access, and walk-in services for people living with substance use issues.
- Abstinence based recovery program for addictions treatment and support
- (807) 622-2730
Ka-na-chi-hih Specialized Solvent Abuse Treatment Centre
- Solvent use residential treatment centre for First Nation youth aged 18-30
- (807) 623-5577 or Toll-Free: 1-888-863-1560
TBDHU Smoking Cessation Program (STOP)
- The TBDHU offers aid with smoking cessation through a free ‘STOP’ program. For more information on smoking cessation resources visit the smoking, vaping, and tobacco page on our website or call the Tobacco Control Program at (807) 625-5900
Support Groups
- Group of people sharing experiences in recovery from addiction to alcohol. Meeting times and locations vary
- (807) 623-1712
- Support groups for people who love someone who has an addiction to alcohol. Meeting times and locations vary
- (807) 622-1906
Harm Reduction for Addiction
Norwest Community Health Centre - Consumption and Treatment Services
- Safe place to consume illicit drugs, harm reduction and injection equipment available, staffed by healthcare professionals available in emergencies and for health teaching
- (807) 626-8518
- The Superior Points program at the TBDHU offers harm reduction services to the community. This includes needle and syringe exchange, and condom, sterile water, and naloxone (plus training) distribution.
- For more information visit, the website or call (807) 621-7862 or (807) 621-7861 or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630
Opioid Agonist Therapy
Medication Assisted Therapy
- Prescription methadone or prenorphine/naloxone (opioids) administration to manage symptoms of withdrawal from opioids.
- Ontario Addictions Treatment Centres (OATC)
- Info line for new patients: 1-877-937-2282
- OATC Thunder Bay North: (807) 768-2910
- OATC Thunder Bay Red River: (807) 768-4352
- OATC Thunder Bay South: (807) 622-2900
- OATC Thunder Bay Westfort: (807) 577-3540
- Lucero Health Clinics
- Donald Street: (807) 625-5400
- Court Street: (807) 633-6666
- Joseph Esquega
- (807) 623-4444
Crisis
- Beendigen Women’s Crisis Home
- Crisis Home
- The crisis home, open 24/7, provides emergency shelter for women and children who require safe accommodations and are seeking refuge from abuse
- (807) 346-HELP (4357) or Toll Free: 1-888-200-9997
- Crisis Home
Counselling
- Dilico Anishinabek Family Care
- Walk-in counselling available in Thunder Bay, Tuesdays 1pm to 7pm
- (807) 624-5818
- Walk-in counselling available in Longlac, last Monday of each month from 1pm to 3pm
- (855) 623-8511 - Contact local Dilico office for clinic times and locations in the district
- Walk-in counselling available in Thunder Bay, Tuesdays 1pm to 7pm
Programming
- Provides support and programs to women and their children who have experienced abuse with the incorporation of the Seven Grandfather Teachings
- (807) 622-1121
Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre
- Wide range of programming offered to support health and wellness across the lifespan
- (807) 345-5840
- Variety of programming offered to people across the lifespan for improved health and wellbeing
- Geraldton: (807) 854-1060
Ontario Native Women's Association
- Programming and support offered to Indigenous women (regardless of status)
- Fort William First Nation head office: (807) 623-3442, Toll-Free: 1-800-667-0816
- Thunder Bay office: (807) 623-3442, Toll-Free: 1-800-667-0816
- Provides a number of services for Indigenous people, including information on mental health and addiction. Catchment Area includes: (within the Robinson Superior Treaty) Fort William First Nation (Thunder Bay), Ginoogaming First Nation (Longlac), Lake Nipigon First Nation, Long Lake #58 First Nation (Longlac), Michipicoten First Nation (Wawa), Pic River First Nation, Pays Plat First Nation, Pic Mobert First Nation, Red Rock First Nation, Rocky Bay First Nation, White Sand First Nation, and (outside the Robinson Superior Treaty) Armstrong, Beardmore, Dorion, Longlac, Macdiarmid, Manitouwadge, Marathon, Nipigon, Pearl, Red Rock, Rossport, Schreiber, Wawa, and White River.
- (807) 229-3592 or Toll-Free: 1-888-432-7102
Addictions
Ka-na-chi-hih Specialized Solvent Abuse Treatment Centre
- Solvent use residential treatment centre for First Nation youth aged 18-30
- (807) 623-5577 or Toll-Free: 1-888-863-1560
Online/Over the Phone Support
- Culturally grounded, confidential helpline, for Indigenous women (available in 14 languages)
- Call or Text: 1-855-554-HEAL
Lakehead Social Planning Council
- Incident reporting for racism in thunder bay through the 211 website
Crisis and/or Shelter
- Provides support and programs to women and their children who have experienced abuse with the incorporation of the Seven Grandfather Teachings
- (807) 622-1121
- Crisis Home:
- The crisis home, open 24/7, provides emergency shelter for women and children who require safe accommodations and are seeking refuge from abuse
- (807) 346-HELP (4357) or Toll Free: 1-888-200-9997
Faye Peterson Women’s Shelter
- Shelter service for women and children seeking refuge from abuse
- (807) 345-0450
Thunder Bay Sexual Abuse Centre
- For 24/7 support for crisis any time after an assault
- Crisis phone: (807) 345-0450
- Free 24/7 crisis counselling over the phone for women experiencing abuse. Translation is available for up to 200 languages.
- Toll Free: 1-866-863-0511
- Provides an alternative choice for reporting a crime and/or tragedy plus support, education and referral services to victims of crime and tragic circumstances
- Crisis response line: (807) 684-1051
FemAide *Francophone Service*
- Fem’aide offre aux femmes d’expression française aux prises avec la violence sexiste, du soutien, des renseignements et de l’aiguillage. Vers les services appropriés dans leur collectivité 24 heures par jour, sept jours par semaine.
- 1-877-FEM-AIDE (336-2433)
Programming and Support
Ontario Native Women's Association
- Programming and support offered to Indigenous women (regardless of status)
- Fort William First Nation head office: (807) 623-3442, Toll-Free: 1-800-667-0816
- Thunder Bay office: (807) 623-3442, Toll-Free: 1-800-667-0816
Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre
- Information, support, and referrals targeted to self-identifying women as it relates to violence against women, justice systems, social assistance, health, employment, sexual harassment, LGBTQ issues, and basic human rights.
- (807) 345-7802
- Confidential online or over the phone peer support for LGBTQ youth
- Call: 1-800-268-9688
- Text: (647) 694-4275
Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre
- Information, support, and referrals targeted to self-identifying women as it relates to violence against women, justice systems, social assistance, health, employment, sexual harassment, LGBTQ issues, and basic human rights.
- (807) 345-7802
- The Other 10%: A youth group for folks aged 12-25 that links youth to resources and support as well as explores LGBTQ2S+ identities
- Meetings are held every second Thursday from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at the NorWest Community Health Centre
- (807) 343-5000
Brain Injury Service of Northern Ontario
- Services and assistance for people living with acquired brain injuries
- (807) 623-1188
- Supporting adults with developmental disabilities to be included in the community. Supports include aids with employment, transitioning to living on your own, personal shopping and food preparation, and the utilization of public services (like public transportation)
- (807) 345-9933
Crisis Support
Crisis support line
- Mobile crisis response, crisis support, and 24/7 phone services for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis
- Thunder Bay District/Toll Free: 1-888-269-3100
Walk-in Counselling in District
- Walk-in counselling available in
- Red Rock (807) 228-1873
- Schreiber (807) 824-3236
- Nipigon (807) 887-2632
- Marathon (807) 229-0607
- Manitouwadge (807) 826-4517
- Longlac (807) 876-2235
- Geraldton (807) 854-1321
- Armstrong (807) 583-2213
- District-wide Toll-Free number: 1-877-895-6677
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care
- Walk-in counselling available in Longlac, last Monday of each month from 1pm to 3pm
- (855) 623-8511
- Contact local Dilico office for clinic times and locations in other parts of the district
Programming in the District
- Provides a number of services for Indigenous people, including information on mental health and addiction.
- (807) 229-3592 or Toll-Free: 1-888-432-7102
Ontario Native Women's Association
- Programming and support offered to Indigenous women (regardless of status). Visit their website or call for information about programming specific to the district.
- Fort William First Nation head office: (807) 623-3442, Toll-Free: 1-800-667-0816
- Thunder Bay office: (807) 623-3442, Toll-Free: 1-800-667-0816
People Advocating for Change through Empowerment (P.A.C.E.)
- Peer support program to support people with mental health and addictions issues. Free programming and drop-in facility for members (membership is free).
- Thunder Bay (807) 343-4760
- Marathon (807) 229-0357
- Geraldton (807) 854-2649
- Manitouwadge (807) 826-4442
- Schreiber-Terrace Bay (807) 824-1362
Norwest Community Health Centre
- Provides a variety of mental and physical wellbeing services and programs
- Thunder Bay: (807) 622-8235 or Toll-Free 1-866-357-5454
- Armstrong: (807) 583-1145
- Longlac: (807) 876-2271 or Toll-Free: 1-888-876-2271
- Mobile Services: (807) 626-8474 or Toll-Free: 1-866-357-5454 ext. 8474
- Variety of programming offered to people across the lifespan for improved health and wellbeing
- Geraldton: (807) 854-1060
Addictions Support in the District
- Group of people sharing experiences in recovery from addiction to alcohol. Meeting times and locations vary
- (807) 623-1712
Opioid Agonist Therapy Medication-Assisted Therapy
- Prescription methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone (opioids) administration to manage symptoms of withdrawal from opioids.
- Ontario Addictions Treatment Centres (OATC)
- Info line for new patients: 1-877-937-2282
- Atikokan Clinic: (807) 597-1515
- Longlac Clinic: (807) 876-9666
- Sioux Lookout Clinic: (807) 737-2200
For Further Information
Call the Injury Prevention & Substance Misuse Program: (807) 625-5900
or toll-free 1-888-294-6630